Keep a pain journal and write EVERYTHING down. Take it with you to the Dr. and show it to him. Sometimes we forget to tell them some of our important concerns once we get there. Fibro fog seems to set in on me when I go to the Dr., so I keep a jouranl of how I'm feeling, my mental status on those days, etc..

I hope this helps.

Dont forget the depression as well.

Sweetie, be honest. Tell your doctor how hard life is right now. How you literally have to pick and choose your activities how you can't manage to keep it all together like someone who is healthy.
I've been advised by others that you should keep track of what you can't get done in a day.
The journal is gonna be your tool. I journal all aspects of my life. My sleep, my pain, my exercise, my meds, and my personal. This has allowed me to see my progress of the past year. I can now share with my docs that after doing what they've wanted me to do I've become worse. I've gone from a PL of a 4 to a 7 or 8 on most days. That they're "remedies for Fibro" don't help me.

I have written proof of it.

But be honest. I'll be praying for you.

I agree wiht these other gasl, keeping a journal is a must. I also have a list that I take to each Drs appointment. On it is written any concerns I have as well as any questions I want to ask the Dr. And knowing that I wouldn't remember the answers, I write them down for future reference. Then I log this in my journal. I've been keeping a journal for over 3 years now. I don't always write in it daily, but try and do it at least a few times each week. When you see the Dr be honset wiht him. Look him straight in the eye and tell him how having this disease has effected your life. It's ok to have a list of notes; we all get a little disconcerted when having to deal with Drs. Good luck!!

Thanks everyone for your help and advice. I started a calendar that the leader of my local support group told me to do, however, I have been lazy about it. I will need to write in it this weekend and keep it up to date. I think I will do a weekly thing up to now and will try to write in it daily or 3-4 times a week.

My symptoms are pretty much the same every day and now the winter has come, so I am really in pain.....

Again, thanks for your help. I need to come here more often.

And yes....I do have depression w/ it....I do have a question about that....w/ LTD, depression can limit the benefits for two years....even though depression is secondary, how should I approach that?

I am on Celexa and Wellbutrin....they seem to help w/ my stress. I try to avoid all stress if that is possible.

My guess would be that your rheumatologist would know the best language to use - probably has written a bazillion.

My attorney is helping w/ the letter. The doctor is more hands off for fibro sufferers...it is like he doesn't want to have them as patients. The physician assistant I love as he is always studying up on fibro and different methods to see what can help.

I would have changed doctors and driven a lot further just to have a better doctor, but right now, I am stuck w/ him for the disability claim.

Fortunately, I have a good attorney and he told the doctor he needs to cooperate....so that helps.

After yesrs of doctors telling me it was all in my head, allergies, or they just focused on one of the symptoms (and forgot the rest). I kept getting sent to all kinds of Specialists, but they all agreed that there was nothing wrong with me. The day the Rheumatologist finally diagnosed me I had a huge, typed out list with ALL my symptoms and problems. He seemed a little irritated when he asked what this was. I told him that I keep forgetting things these days and did not want to leave things out. Good luck.